Free train tickets revoked

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced to revoke free train tickets on Oct 1 to pave the way for the introduction of the government’s welfare cards, which can be used to replace the free train tickets. Free train tickets were adopted since 2008 as part of the government’s measures to help people cut the cost of living. Acting governor of the SRT, Anont Luangboriboon said the existing free train tickets benefited the people but the new welfare cards will directly target low income earners, who registered with the authorities. So far, about 11 million poor people have qualified for the assistance from the government. With the welfare cards, the card holders are eligible to buy train tickets at the amount of 500 baht per month. They can also use the cards for taking buses and electric trains 500 baht a month and another 500 baht a month for travels by the inter-provincial buses. The balance in the card cannot be collected for next month and the amount of fares for each type of public transportation in the card will be reset at the beginning of every month. (TNA)